Lynwood High School students win cooking competition

Lynwood High School earned first place in this year's Cooking Up Change competition last Thursday at Northgate González Market corporate headquarters in Anaheim, Calif.

Each student of team #1 received a $1,000 scholarship from the Reynoso González Familia Foundation.

"The program empowers our students to explore their passion for culinary arts and shows the importance of preparing healthy food, giving them the guidance and resources they need to succeed," said Kim Benson, interim executive director of Kid Healthy Orange County. The organization has held the competition for 12 years.

The six participating high schools included Garden Grove High School, Lynwood High School, which had two teams, Bolsa Grande High School, Rancho Alamitos High School, Valley High School, and Bell Gardens High School. All of the student teams were paired with a professional chef mentor who provided expertise, creative consultation, and insights into the culinary profession. Initially, mentors and teams met one or two times monthly, gradually increasing frequency as the contest approached, ensuring comprehensive preparation and support.

Garden Grove High School and Lynwood High School’s team #2 placed second and third in the competition, respectively.

Kid Healthy staff distribute guidelines and assistance, empowering students with the necessary tools and knowledge to excel in the program. Additionally, students benefit from two workshops and one webinar designed to enhance their contest preparation.

Miguel González, co-president of Northgate Market, emphasized the importance of food and culture, stating, "At Northgate Market, we understand the profound connection between food, health and culture. By investing in programs like Cooking Up Change, we are investing in the future of our communities. We are delighted to host the students at our corporate headquarters, where they can further explore their culinary aspirations."

Benson from Kid Healthy says Cooking Up Change began with a desire to engage students in healthy behaviors, particularly in low-resource communities (Title I schools) where access to nutritious meals is limited. The program aims to challenge perceptions of school food and showcase how it can be healthy and tasty, too.

Menus created by the 29 student competitors are shared with school food service directors throughout the participating schools and districts, reaching over 10,000 students. This influences meal choices and promotes healthier eating habits.

For more information about Cooking Up Change and how to get involved, please visit www.mykidhealthy.org